Balto

This past spring the folk group Balto released their debut album called October's Sky, which is based on lead singer Daniel Sheron's experiences of when he abandoned his life in Moscow and went alone into Siberia. It's an incredible story, and it's the same guy who turned out to have jam sessions with his band outside their local library and achieve the name "The Assholes Outside the Library".  In my opinion, that means you're doing something right.  Such would appear to be the case, especially with the release of Balto's Monuments EP which came out last month.  If their jams sounded like this, I don't see how anyone could call them assholes.  Monuments is a piece of folk beauty, employing a wide range of string instruments like guitars, mandolins, banjoes, accordions, and upright bass.  The harmony between all of them blend wonderfully to add a tinge of country to an already easily accessible and interesting folk-driven EP. That's not even mentioning Sheron's vocals, which carry the tunes along effortlessly. I've posted two of my favorite songs below from Monuments, "Gravestones" and "Doves", so be sure to take a listen to those.  Afterwards, their Bandcamp has the rest of the EP, with Facebook and Twitter offering more info.  There is also a main homepage you can run over to.  Dig it up!

Gravestones 

Doves 

Mt. Wolf

If there were a better word to describe the London quartet Mt. Wolf than 'ethereal', I would use it.  But alas, such a descriptor is non-existent; with gossamer vocals, angelic harmonies, sweeping strings, and deep bass embedded in the music they make, how could there possibly be a more perfect adjective?  The evidence gathered for this conclusion comes from their Life Size Ghosts EP, a 4-song assemblage that exhibits all of Mt. Wolf's heavenly qualities.  The term that they've come to describe it as is "dreamfolk", which just so happens to fit them ideally.  One element to Life Size Ghosts that surprised me were the pronounced beats that appeared out of no where in some of the songs.  In one full swoop they're able to turn a dreamy wash into what sounds like a soulful downtempo track, perhaps along the lines of a darker How to Dress Well.  Either way, Life Size Ghosts is well worth a listen for curious ears, and the good news is that it is streaming over at SoundCloud now, so be sure to have a gander at it.  For more information you can visit the band's Twitter or Facebook.  Below is "Cry Wolf", which comes directly off the EP.

 Cry Wolf by Mt. Wolf

Kjartan Bue

For this Friday's segment we're going to tone it down a little bit.  I'd like to present Kjartan Bue, a half-Danish half-Norweigan folk singer who is currently residing in Copenhagen.  Everything about Bue comes across as very poetic, whether it be represented in his music or in the background story of his forthcoming album.  His new single, "Old Woman", is a great representation of this. His hushed, comforting vocals play along wonderfully with the soft guitar picking in the background.  His method of delivery, as well as the accompanying lyrics, paint a beautiful image of something that may otherwise be considered austere.  This comes to us as the first taste of Bue's album called Man Running Backwards (set to be released on November 15th), which was created in an eastern facing room at his father's farm at Moon Mountain.  Each day he sat and went to work with a view looking out over three grazing Icelandic horses, which isn't the worst place to create a LP.  Poetic, no?  I've placed the song "Old Woman" below for your listening pleasure, so be sure to check that out.  To listen to some more of his tracks, head on over to his SoundCloud.  There is also an abundance of information available at his Facebook.  Happy weekends ya'll!

 Old Woman by Kjartan Bue

Conner Youngblood

In a follow up to my previous post on Conner Youngblood, yesterday he released a new song called "The Warpath".  The track represents his final single coming off of his forthcoming album Sketches Pt. 2, which is set for an August 28th release.  In true Youngblood fashion, I find there to be a real sense of atmosphere in his songwriting.  In this case, "The Warpath" is a folk-inspired tune that occupies the copious space created by Youngblood's proven talent.  Have a listen to it below.  Afterwards, make sure to hit up all the important social media outlets for updates on any shows, events, and of course Sketches Pt. 2.  Click on the blue for Facebook, Twitter, and SoundCloud.

 The Warpath by Conner Youngblood

Reeds

This one comes to you nice and piping hot off the press. Released not but a few hours ago is a single from UK's four-piece Reeds, an A-side "Gardening" matched with the "Sea Bed" B-side. Both are remarkably different, "Gardening" being doused with country influences while "Sea Bed" is a way more nostalgic instrumental piece. The two are united under one common branch, though, which would be that their foundations are rooted in acoustic composition.  They also lean more towards a breezy, freewheeling kind of summer groove.  I can see it now, picture a warm summer day, not too hot and with a refreshing wind, perhaps with a ladyfriend, a good smile, and the glistening water of the ocean by your side.  "Sea Bed" just seems to remind me of a great day, maybe time well spent for a day off from work.  The two songs have been released ahead of some new music and live shows later this year.  Below you can check out "Sea Bed", and don't forget to make a stop over at their Bandcamp for streams and downloads.  Facebook is up and at 'em too.

Jeannot

Not long ago on July 10th, the folk collective Jeannot released a 3-song EP Turner Street, which is a "sampling of songs written over the past year" by band member John Glouchevitch.  The EP carries an extremely mellow tone, utilizing hushed vocals and quiet guitar strums to accomplish a very intimate collection.  Intimacy isn't carried only through the atmosphere of Turner Street, but also slams home that idea lyrically.  Perhaps my favorite, "Anyone You Want", exhibits a desperate display of romanticism, telling the story of someone who is so badly heartbroken that he's willing to be, well...anyone you want.  It's this kind of concept that ties Turner Street together, and I'm not talking about sadness or melancholy, but instead an unquenchable need to love the things around us.  At least that's what I got out of it.  Anyway, the whole thing is available on Bandcamp, so if you're looking for something to calm you down at night, I'm sure this will strike some chords.  Jeannot's Facebook is here, Twitter here, and "Anyone You Want" below.

The Man Whom

What is the point of music? For some it's to dance, for some it's scream, for some it's to unite, and for others it's to relax.  There is a multitude of reasons why we listen to music, but the base root is the same; to make us feel something, to instill some kind of emotional embodiment.  Ian Doyle, the lead singer of Ireland's The Man Whom, understands this. On his upcoming album The Greatest Event, Doyle makes strides to have you look into yourself and come out with sentiment.  It's a deep exploration, and with Doyle's swooning strings and melancholy atmosphere the door is wide open for self-reflection.  As the band writes, it "takes the experience of losing everything in the great Irish recession and translates it into rich, soulful layers of sonic longing".  Complemented with a mellow tempo, The Greatest Event simmers, allowing it to soak in.  The album is due out February 28th in America, but you can get a little preview with one of my favorites "I Know Your Face".  Have a listen to it below!  Enjoy!

 The Man Whom - The Greatest Event - 03 I Know Your Face by matchlessminds

D.B. Rouse

Hands down the best thing I've ever bought with my money was my first car; to say I loved it was an understatement.  I cherished and treasured that thing 'til the day it's suspension gave out and it's ass was dragging over the driveway. Even after I came to the dismal realization that it was no longer drivable, we'd still chill in it late at night, sometimes clearing it to smoke hookah.  Sighhhh, my 1994 Plymouth Acclaim sure was a beauty; parting with it was difficult.  This is why D.B. Rouse's lyrics in "Love Song To My First Car" speaks volumes to me: "It may have been a wreck of worn out rubber and steal, but the whole world just looked better from behind that steering wheel" he sings.  How true it is!  The whole reason I started working at 15 was to get a car by 16, it was a symbol of my new freedom.  Who cares how it looks?  It was my car.  While "Love Song To My First Car" is a fun little ditty, it's a fair representation of Rouse's ability to make honest, down-to-earth tunes, which is effective for his folk (and countryish) persona.  Thus, I suppose it's also appropriate that Rouse's new album And the Music Flowed, Like Blood From the Stereo was recorded, mixed, and mastered by himself in a toolshed on a horse ranch in Austin, TX.  It's rooted in pure Americana, and such is heard when listening to his new release.  Below is "Future In Flames", so feel free to take a listen.  You can download the song below, and if you want an early edition of the full album you can hit up Bandcamp for those goods.  Enjoy!

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